Maori 'united against government foreshore law plan'

8.30pm

Maori opposition to government plans for new laws on customary foreshore and seabed rights gathered momentum at a major Waikato hui today.

About 1000 people, including Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia, National's only Maori MP Georgina te Heu Heu, and iwi representatives from around the country, met today at Paeroa's Ngahutoitoi marae for the weekend hui.

Harry Mikaere, representative for hui host the Hauraki Maori Trust Board, said the aim was to achieve "a collective, co-ordinated response with the outcome of forming a working party representing the 78 iwi".

The working party would then sit down and talk with the Government, he said.

However, Maori activist Ken Mair said: "At the end of the day, no compromise, no deals."

Hauraki Maori Trust Board called the hui over government moves to legislate to clarify the law after the Court of Appeal recently ruled South island iwi, Te Tau Ihu, may have a case for claiming customary title to the foreshore and seabed.

Many Maori - including most Labour Maori MPs - have been angered the Government has said it would legislate to ensure that it kept ownership.

The Government has said Maori traditional access would be preserved and Maori could be given a bigger say in management of the disputed lands.

But the strength of feeling at today's hui was very much against the government proposals, Hauraki Board Treaty claims manager John McEnteer told TVNZ.

"People seem to be very unified about those particular concerns that they have," he said.

A letter from Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen circulated at the hui promised not to extinguish Maori customary rights, but indicated there would be new legislation, TVNZ reported.

Mrs te Heu Heu, who was given permission by National to attend the hui instead of today's party conference, said the stand-off would be difficult to solve, but similar problems had been sorted out in the past.

"It might be the problems here are more complex, but the past shows these things can be worked through."

National leader Bill English said today if the Government did not introduce legislation "National will do it for them".

One reported option was to give Maori title and guardianship, but not ownership or the ability to restrict public access - a similar deal to that done over Lake Taupo and on some reserve and conservation land in other treaty deals.

However, Mr McEnteer said the Government confused acceptance from its Maori MPs as acceptance by all Maori.

"I have heard of no discussions with Maori organisations to date," he said.

"They have been talking to themselves. Maori MPs do not represent iwi organisations."

- NZPA